Lightning captain Steven Stamkos hoping to be ready for Game 1 of Stanley Cup Playoffs

Stamkos has not played since April 8 due to a lower-body injury. The Bolts were optimistic he'd return when he was eligible to come off injured reserve last week, but now it seems he might not be ready until the postseason. 

The 31-year-old has suffered some lengthy injuries throughout the latter half of his career, including a lower-body injury that kept him out of all but 2:47 of the team's playoff run last year. 

Stamkos had been one of Tampa's best players this season before suffering the injury, notching 17 goals and 17 assists in 38 games played. 

Nikita Kucherov, who has been out for the entire season with a hip injury, resumed skating almost two months ago and could also return to the lineup when the playoffs begin. 

The Carolina Hurricanes are inching closer to clinching the Central Division title, which means the Lightning could end up playing their in-state rival Florida Panthers in the first round.